Home Table of Contents

§ 1-702. Policies and programs for funding communities disproportionately affected by climate i...

West's Annotated Code of MarylandEnvironmentEffective: June 1, 2022

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Environment
Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions; Enforcement (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 7. Environmental Justice
Effective: June 1, 2022
MD Code, Environment, § 1-702
§ 1-702. Policies and programs for funding communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts
Development of policies and programs; report
(a) On or before December 31, 2023, the Department, in consultation with the Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities, shall:
(1) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, adopt a methodology for identifying communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts;
(2) Develop specific strategies to address geographical impact concerns, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and co-pollutants, and build climate equity and resilience within communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts;
(3) Set appropriate goals for the percentage of State funding for greenhouse gas emission reduction measures that should be used for the benefit of disproportionately affected communities; and
(4) Report to the Maryland Commission on Climate Change and, in accordance with § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the policies and programs developed under this subsection.
Requirements for methodologies to identify communities disproportionately affected by climate impacts
(b) In evaluating methodologies under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the Department shall, at a minimum, include:
(1) Underserved communities;
(2) Overburdened communities; and
(3) Areas that are vulnerable to climate impacts, such as flooding, storm surges, and urban heat island effects, due to low levels of tree coverage, high levels of impervious surfaces, or other factors.
Duties of Department
(c) In carrying out its responsibilities under this section, the Department shall:
(1) Solicit input from all segments of the population that will be impacted by the policies developed under subsection (a) of this section, including individuals living in areas that may be identified as disproportionately affected communities under the proposed criteria;
(2) Ensure that equity and geographical impact remedies are key principles; and
(3) Incorporate geographical impact considerations into all recommendations, policies, programs, and funding priorities.

Credits

Added by Acts 2022, c. 38, § 4, eff. June 1, 2022.
MD Code, Environment, § 1-702, MD ENVIR § 1-702
Current with legislation effective through October 1, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
End of Document